What to Do in Wynwood: Our Guide

Just north of downtown Miami lies Wynwood. Once known as the gritty gallery district, it's gone through the changes many arty neighborhoods in big cities have seen. It is now the city’s most exciting stretch, with bustling restaurants and a diverse shopping scene all welcoming to a diverse set of people—hipsters, artists, and families alike. In the span of four blocks you can see murals by famous street artists, eat some of Miami's best food, and browse its funkiest of boutiques. Here are our picks for the best stops in the neighborhood, including fancy donuts, locally sourced fashion, and Miami's first food hall.

One of the busiest spots in Wynwood, this fast-casual taco joint has been a hit since the day it opened. The fresh and well-executed tacos use humanely-raised meats and seasonal veggies; take particular note of the duck carnitas and quinoa tacos for the vegetarians. Unlike a lot of budget taquerias, tortillas are of paramount importance here: A tortillera works on the line at all times, sometimes making as many as 1,000 fresh tortillas a day.

Come to this rooftop cocktail bar—a rarity in Wynwood—late at night, for views of downtown Miami all lit up and expertly crafted cocktails. They pull in interesting and sometimes unusual ingredients, like a creme do coco made in house, lots of fresh herbs and collagen. Hopping live music and excellent bar bites round out the experience and make it the kind of place you could stay for a while.

Suite Habana Cafe is a classy, Cuban-inspired coffee shop with counter seating and a small-but-comfortable lounge area. Come for a quick caffeine stop or to catch up with a friend; the fast-casual breakfast consists of homemade croquettes (ask for the ham) and empanadas as well as locally sourced pastries and pastelitos (guava is a must). The cheerful owner is almost always here, and the staff shares her joyful love of Cuban coffee and her welcoming vibe.

The crowd here is as fashionable as its Wynwood neighborhood, so expect to see plenty of regulars and art lovers tucking into fried chicken. And while you’re most likely to hear KYU described as a contemporary Asian restaurant, that feels too simplistic. Try the duck breast “burnt ends” and Thai coconut cream spinach, which show off the menu's southern influences, or the shichimi-rubbed wagyu brisket for something a bit more indulgent..

After an afternoon of shopping and gallery hopping, grab an icy Kirin and banh mi, some dim sum or Peking duck at this 10,000 foot food hall, then bunker down on one of their communal tables for an easy late lunch. Just know: if you aren't the type who is up for a boisterous, busy meal, the crowds and always pumping soundtrack can make for a Darwinian experience.

Known as Miami's most Instagrammed place, this outdoor "gallery" is a cornucopia of artwork by graffiti artists and muralists. And this can be a quick stop. It'll only take about twenty minutes to hit all the art at Wynwood Walls, including murals by Shepard Fairey (the artist who designed Obama's "Hope" poster).

Owned by the team behind cult favorite KYU, in Wynwood, Laid Fresh is a bright, fast-casual spot serving morning crowd-pleasers. Pull up a yellow chair by the communal Lego table or a counter seat by the floor-to-ceiling windows, and tuck into the hearty breakfast-all-day menu. Egg sandwiches with a house-made potato brioche bun, house-made cheese sauce, fried eggs, and sausage; spicy fried chicken; and soft scrambled eggs with melted brie and avocado are all hits.

Beautiful, Instagram-ready frozen pops made from local and seasonal fruits like fresh kiwi, strawberry, mango, and pineapple are the calling cards here. Made-to-order popsicles bring in food bloggers and parents looking for a special treat for their kids. This place is great for a pit stop on a hot Wynwood walk or for desserts after hitting one of the surrounding restaurants.

Since first opening in 2015, not a day has gone by where Alter hasn’t been packed. While the rock ‘n’ roll atmosphere certainly doesn’t hurt its popularity, it’s the ever-changing menu that keeps diners coming back again and again. Dinner is tasting menu-only, with a choice of either five or seven courses and, because Kilgore relies heavily on local ingredients, they change quite often. If you’ve got the will—and the stomach space—go for for the Full Chef’s Experience, which, if you’re lucky, will net you one of Alter’s famous soft eggs, served with truffle pearls and Siberian caviar.

This eclectic and thoughtfully-curated indie boutique brings in tourists and fashion bloggers strolling through Wynwood. If you buy just one thing in the neighborhood, make it a woven beach tote by Mexican label Agua del Mar at this boutique with downtown's top selection of Latin American designers.

Racks of plump donuts decorated with edible flowers or bacon make this the place to satiate your sweet tooth in Wynwood. The racks come in flavors like babka, white chocolate tres leches, and passionfruit-coconut.

Boxelder, which is great for a catch-up with friends, a casual date, or a pit stop while shopping and strolling in Wynwood, is a neo-industrial space with a long counter. The voluminous beer selection is displayed on wooden shelves. Mustachioed and bearded beer lovers mingle with the usual Wynwood mix of artists, young professionals, and stylish bloggers taking a break from instagram shoots. The music isn't too loud for conversation, and the space always manages to avoid being too crowded—or too empty.